Self-Care Management Program Utilization among Antenatal Mothers with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Pregnancy complications contribute considerably to maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of self-care management program utilization among antenatal mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The study used a quasi-experimental design. It study was carried out in the out-patient clinic in Benha university hospital, Egypt. Based on a purposive sample, 67 pregnant women diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension were included. To collect the data, two instruments were used, a structured interviewing questionnaire, and self-care reported practice assessment. The analysis of data revealed that more than three quarters (80.6% of pregnant women) had incorrect knowledge about self-care of PIH and only 37.3 % of pregnant women had adequate knowledge score at pre-intervention that increased to 77.6 % in post-intervention. Additionally, a highly statistically significant difference was revealed between total self-care practices scores related to pregnancy-induced hypertension before and after intervention (p<0.001). Also, a highly statistical difference was revealed between total knowledge and practice scores of studied women at pre and post-intervention (p <0.001).  The utilization of a self-care management program highly improved pregnant participants’ knowledge and their self-care practice regarding the management of pregnancy-induced hypertension. The current study suggested that pregnant women be made more aware of pregnancy problems, including pregnancy-induced hypertension and its related impacts on mothers and fetal health, as well as a greater understanding of self-care management.